Trailing service vehicle

ABSTRACT

A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunneling shield includes a horizontal platform having one end pivotally connected to the rear end of the tunneling shield. The other end of the platform is supported from the tunnel as by a pair of laterally spaced legs. Expander means mounted in slots in the platform receive tunnel liner rib segments and position same upon expansion against the interior surface of the tunnel. Side expander means may be used in conjunction with the slot mounted expander means to assist in positioning the ribs.

United States Patent [191 Stevens [451 July 29, 1975 TRAILING SERVICEVEHICLE Richard W. Stevens, Oconomowoc,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Milwaukee Boiler Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: July 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 492,986

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 61/85; 61/84 [51] Int. Cl. E0lg 5/00 [58] Field of Search61/84, 85, 63, 42, 45; 299/31, 33, 56

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,082,700 12/1913 McArthur61/84 2,128,172 8/1938 Warner ct al,.

Budd 61/84 3,206,824 9/1965 Cerutti 61/84 Primary Examiner-Dennis L.Taylor Attorney, Agent, or FirmAndrus, Sceales, Starke &

Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A service vehicle suitable for trailing connectionto a tunneling shield includes a horizontal platform having one endpivotally connected to the rear end of the tunneling shield. The otherend of the platform is supported from the tunnel as by a pair oflaterally spaced legs. Expander means mounted in slots in the platformreceive tunnel liner rib segments and position same upon expansionagainst the interior surface of the tunnel. Side expander means may beused in conjunction with the slot mounted expander means to assist inpositioning the ribs.

24 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures TRAILING SERVICE VEHICLE SUMMARY OF THEPRESENT INVENTION In conventional tunneling techniques, the tunnel maybe formed by excavating apparatus operating in conjunction with atunneling shield. The tunneling shield has a movable hood which isdriven into the working face of the tunnel. The ground beneath the hoodmay be safely excavated as the hood supports the overburden. When thearea beneath the hood has been excavatcd, the tunneling shield isadvanced into the excavated area. A tunnel liner is erected behind thetunneling shield to protect workmen and equipment in the tunnel. Theliner is typically formed of a plurality of spaced hoop-like ribssupporting heavy timbers or lagging in the spacing between the ribs.Each time the tunnel shield is advanced, additional ribs and lagging areerected to extend the tunnel liner.

With horizontal tunnels, particularly being bored under city streets andutilities. it is desirable to expand the ribs tightly against theinterior surface of the tunnel. This prevents unwanted subsidence of theoverburden into the spacing between the interior surface of the tunneland the tunnel liner.

The present invention provides a trailing service vehicle which may bedrawn behind the tunneling shield to expand the ribs of the tunnel lineragainst the interior surface of the tunnel, thereby facilitating andaccelerating the construction tunnel and preventing unwantedsubsidences. The trailer of the present invention also provides anelevated platform which may be used for both working and storage in thetunnel. The power supplies, such as hydraulic pumps, necessary for theoperation of both the shield and the expander means may be located on orunder the elevated platform so as to be convenient and accessable, butout of the way of equipment and workmen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of thetrailing service vehicle of the present invention shown in conjunctionwith a tunneling schield.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1showing the means for joining the rib segments together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the platform element of the trailingservice vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing the means for joining the trailing service vehicle to thetunneling schield.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the expander means of thevehicle showing the expander means in the extended position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the means for mountinga means for moving the expander means.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the expander means of thevehicle showing the expander means in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 is partial cross sectional liner.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system view of the tunnelfor the trailing service vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the Figures.there is shown in FIG. 8

a common construction for a tunnel liner 10 during the excavation phase.Liner 10 includes hoop-like ribs 12 fabricated from I beam stock. Ribs12 are typically formed in segments, such as quarters, to facilitateerection. Plates 13 are welded to each end of the rib quarters (seeFIGS. 1 and 2) and the quarters bolted together to form the complete rib12. Between ribs 12 are positioned wooden lagging or timbers 14 forresisting the compressive loads exerted by the surrounding soil on thetunnel liner. After the liner is erected, the bottom may be filled inwith earth to provide the temporary roadway 16 shown in FIG. I forworkmen and construction equipment.

Tunneling shield 20 may include movable hood 22 which is mounted on thefront of the shield. Hood 22, which is shown as segmented in FIG. I, maybe driven into the working face during excavation. Shield 20 alsoincludes rear hood or tail 24 under which ribs 12 and timbers 14 areerected.

A frame member 26 adjacent the rear end of tunneling shield 20 houses aplurality of hydraulic cylinders 28, only two of which are shown in FIG.I. The piston rods of hydraulic cylinders 28 contain fittings 30 whichmate with ribs 12 of the tunnel liner. By extending the piston rods ofhydraulic cylinders 28 to move fittings 30 against the forward-most rib12 of tunnel liner l0, tunneling shield 20 may be moved forward alongthe bore of the tunnel. Frame member 26 is spanned by rear table beam32.

The trailing service vehicle of the present invention is shown in FIG. Iby the numeral 40. Trailer 40 includes horizontal platform 42 having awidth approximating the dimension of the chord of tunnel liner l0occupied by the platform. Platform 42 may be fabricated in twosymmetrical halves, as shown in FIG. 3 and includes a plurality oflongitudinal beams 44. The central portion of platform 42 is formed withplates 46 to protect workmem below the platform while the edges adjacenttunnel liner 10 are covered with grating 48. Platform 42 may be used tosupport various equipment such as welding generator or grout pump, andto store tools and material such as, ribs, lagging, grout, etc. Theplatform also provides a working area for workmen during the erection ofthe ribs, placement of the lagging or grouting the tunnel liner. Aladder, not shown, may be used to gain access to platform 42.

The forward end of platform 42 is pivotally supported from the rear oftunneling shield 20. This allows articulation between the shield and thetrailer and permits shield 20 to be steered along the desired bore ofthe tunnel. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this pivotal support may beprovided by a hitch 50 mounted on forward end of platform 42. Hitch 50contains concave surfaces 51 which engage an appropriate ball ortrunioun (not shown) mounted on rear table beam 32.

The other end of platform 42 is supported by tunnel liner 10. This maybe accomplished by a pair of straddle legs 56 which depend from the rearedge of platform 42. The legs may be positioned in vertical alignmentwith the junction of temporary fill roadway l6 and tunnel liner 10 so asto avoid interference with the entry and exit of material, equipment,and workmen through the tunnel liner. Skis 58, pivotally mounted on thelower end of straddle legs 56, mate with roadway I6 and the adjacentportions of tunnel liner l0. Skis 58 may be provided with flanges 60 forthis purpose. In the alternative, rubber or rail wheels may be utilizedin lieu of skis 58.

The forward edge of platform 42 includes a pair of rollers 62 withassociated bearing and retainer members 64 which facilitate the initialpositioning of the quarters of ribs 12 in a manner hereinafterdescribed.

Platform 42 contains a pair of spaced parallel slots 66 aligned with thebore of the tunnel containing expander uprights 68 and 70. Each expanderupright. for example, expander upright 68 includes an upper expanderpost 72 having a rectangular cross section and a lower expander post 74,also of rectangular cross section. which telescopes within upperexpander post 72. The dimensions of rectangular upper expander post 72are such as to provide a sliding fit with the sides of slot 66. Wearplate 76 may be provided along one or both sides of upper expander posts72 to facilitate the movement of the expander uprights in slots 66. Aplurality of wheels or rollers 78 are fixed to the sides of upperexpander posts 72 to support the expander uprights on the portions ofplatform 42 adjacent slots 66 when the expander uprights are not in use.

Upper expander posts 72 and lower expander posts 74 are coupled togetherby a hydraulic cylinder. As shown in FIG. 5, one end of hydrauliccylinder 80, for

example, the cylinder end, is pinned to upper expander posts 72 by pin82 while the other end. for example, the piston end, is pinned to lowerexpander post 74 by pin 83.

Expander upper quadrant 84 is joined to the upper end of upper expanderposts 72 of expander uprights 68 and 70 to receive the upper two quartersections of rib 12. Expander upper quadrant 82 may be formed with agroove 86 for this purpose. A notch 85 in the center of expander upperquadrant 82 may be provided to accomodate the plates on the ends of thequadrants of ribs 12.

An expander bracket 88 is mounted on the lower ends of each of lowerexpander posts 74. Brackets 88 embrace bridge 91. Bridge 91 has a flatupper surface 93 providing a work area. The forward edge of bridge 91 ispivotally mounted to the working surface 95 of tunneling shield 20.Sides 97 depend from surface 93 to resist compressive forces exerted bybrackets 88. Skids 99 may be provided to assist the movement of bridge91 along tunnel liner as tunneling shield is moved forward along thetunnel.

A side expander 90 may be mounted on each of upper expander posts 72 ofexpander uprights 68 and 70, as shown in FIGS. 1. 5 and 7. Sideexpanders 90 include hydraulic cylinder 92. the piston 94 of which ismounted in an adjustment slot in expansion pusher member 96. Expansionpusher member 96 is U-shaped to facilitate joinder of the ends of therib quarters. Side expander 90 is retained in the correct position withrespect to platform 42 and expander uprights 68 and 70 by chain 98having one end fastened to expansion pusher member 96 and the other endengaging notches 101 on platform 42.

Expander uprights 68 and 70 are moved forward and rearward in slots 66by expander positioning hydraulic cylinders 103. One end of thehydraulic cylinders 103 is pinned to the rear end of each of slots 66 bypin 105, extending to beams 44 as shown in FIG. 1. The other end ofhydraulic cylinders 103 is pinned to upper expansion posts 72 bybrackets 107 and a mating pin.

The various hydraulic elements of trailer 40 may be provided withhydraulic fluid by the hydraulic power circuitry shown in FIG. 10. Thehydraulic circuitry includes a reservoir of hydraulic fluid 100 mountedunder platform 42 outside leg 56. Reservoir 100 is cou pled to motordriven pump 102 also mounted under platform 42. The input of pump 102 isobtained through filter 104 and provided to conduit 106 and relief valve108 and hydraulic line 110. Hydraulic line 110 is connected to hydraulicvalves 112 and 114 which control the extension and retraction ofhydraulic cylinders 80 and expansion uprights 68 and 70. Hydraulic line110 is also connected to hydraulic valves 116 and 118 which control theextension and retraction of hydraulic cylinders 103 which positionexpansion uprights 68 and in slots 66 and to hydraulic valves 120 and122 which control the extension and retraction of the hydrauliccylinders 92 in side expansion jacks 90. Return line 124 is providedbetween the hydralic valves and reservoir 100.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention trailer 40 contains thepump 126 and other hydraulic apparatus necessary to provide operativehydraulic pressures to the various hydraulic jacks in tunneling shield20 thereby simplifying the construction and operation of tunnelingshield 20.

In operation, trailer 40 is connected to the rear end of tunnelingshield 20 by hitch 50 for movement with tunneling shield 20 along thebore of the tunnel. During movement in the tunnel, hydraulic valves 112and 114 are operated to move hydraulic cylinders and expander uprights68 and 70 to the retracted position so that rollers 78 of upper expanderposts 72 rest on platform 42. Hydraulic cylinders 92 of side expandersare similarly retracted so that interference with tunnel liner 10 isavoided.

As the excavation of the tunnel proceeds, it is necessary to erect atunnel liner 10 to protect the workmen and equipment in the tunnel fromsubsidences. The tunnel liner 10 is erected under tail shield 24 oftunneling shield 20. The segments of ribs 12 are taken from a storagepile and positioned in the tunnel under the tail shield to form thehoop-like rib. Rollers 62 on the front edge of platform 42 assist inerectingthe segments of rib 12. The segments are then pinned or boltedtogether to retain the rib shown as 12A in FIG. I in the assembledcondition. The wooden lagging 14 is then inserted between the newlyassembled rib and the immediately preceding rib 128. The tunnelingshield may be moved forward by extending hydraulic cylinders 28 to movefittings 30 into abutment with rib 12A.

As the excavation of the tunnel continues. the assembled ribs move outfrom under tail shield 24 and over slots 66 in platform 42. Expansionuprights 68 and 70 may be moved to the forward end of slots 66. This isaccomplished by operating valves 116 and 118 to extend hydrauliccylinders 103.

Hydraulic valves I12 and 114 are then operated to extend hydrauliccylinders 80 in expander uprights 68 and 70. Initially lower expanderposts 72 descend to engage brackets 88 on lower rib sections supportedby the soil or rock on the bottom of the tunnel. Brackets 88 alsoembrace bridge 91 which moves over rib 12 and lagging 14 on skids 99.Once lower rib sections have become firmly imbedded in the soil. thedescent of lower expander posts 74 ceases and upper expander posts 72commence to rise off of platform 42 to elevate the expander upperquadrant into contact with the upper two rib quarters. As the ribquarters assume their final positions, side expanders 90 may be moved tothe appropriate position, as by adjusting chains 98, and hydrauliccylinders 92 extended to facilitate the expansion of rib 12. When therib 12 is fully expanded against the interior surface of the tunnel, thequarter sections of the rib may be fastened together. The two upper andthe two lower rib quarters may be bolted or welded together at theabutting plates. Spacers 200 may be inserted between rib plates 13adjacent side expansion pusher members 96 to retain rib 12 in theexpanded position. Hydraulic cylinders 80 and expansion uprights 68 and70 are then retracted and the process repeated as tunneling shield 20moves further down the bore of the tunnel.

If it is desired to retain the expansion of rib 12 provided by expansionuprights 68 and 70 as trailer 40 is moved forward. hydraulic cylinders103 can be retracted as trailer 40 moves forward, thereby movingexpansion uprights 68 and 70 rearwardly in slots 66 and retaining theuprights and rib 12 in the same position.

The bottom portion of tunnel liner formed by the erection of ribs 12 andthe insertion of lagging 14 may be filled with rock or other material toprovide a temporary road bed once bridge 91 passes. Grout may beinserted in any hollow pockets existing between tunnel line 10 and theinterior surface of the tunnel.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim:

1. A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunnelingshield within a tunnel having segmented hoop-like ribs forming a portionof a liner, said vehicle comprising:

a horizontal platform positionable within the tunnel, one end of saidplatform having means for pivotal supportive connection to the rear endof said tunneling shield, the other end of said platform having meansfor supporting said platform from said tunnel, said platform having apair of spaced slots lying parallel to the bore to the tunnel;

expander means movably mounted in said slots, said means beingextensible in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tunnel; and

means connected between said expander means normal to the bore of thetunnel for receiving the ribs and for expanding same against theinterior surface of the tunnel.

2. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said expander meansare extensible in either direction.

3. The service vehicle according to claim 2 wherein said expander meansincludes a pair of telescoping members mounted in each of said slots,said telescoping members having extensible means coupling said memberstogether and providing relative movement between said members.

4. The service vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said extensiblemeans comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within said telescopingmembers.

5. The service vehicle according to claim 3 wherein one of saidtelescoping members is rectangular and is dimensioned for slidingengagement with the sides of said slots.

6. The service vehicle according to claim 3 wherein one of saidtelescoping members includes means for supporting said expander meansfrom said platform.

7. The service vehicle according to claim 6 suitable for use in agenerally horizontal tunnel wherein said telescoping members arecomprised of upper, outer, and inner, lower vertically telescopingmembers and wherein said support means is mounted on said uppertelescoping members for suspending said expander means from saidplatform.

8. The service vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said upper, outertelescoping member is rectangular and is dimensioned for slidingengagement with the sides of said slots.

9. The service vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said support meansincludes rollers.

10. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said connectionmeans between said expander means is formed to receive the ribs.

11. The service vehicle according to claim 1 including means for movingsaid expander means within said slots.

12. The service vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said moving meanscomprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted between said platform and saidexpander means.

13. The service vehicle according to claim 1 further including sideexpander means operatively associated with said platform and extensiblein a direction generally perpendicular to said slot mounted expandermeans for receiving rib segments and for assisting in the expansion ofsame against the interior surface of the tunnel.

14. The service vehicle according to claim 13 wherein said side expandermeans is mounted on said slot mounted expander means.

15. The service vehicle according to claim 7 further including sideexpander means mounted on said upper telescoping members and laterallyextensible for receiving the ribs.

16. The service vehicle according to claim 13 wherein said side expandermeans includes a hydraulic cylinder having means for receiving saidribs.

17. The service vehicle according to claim 16 including means foradjusting the position of said receiving means with respect to saidplatform.

18. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said support meansat the other end of said platform comprises a pair of laterally spacedlegs supportively coacting with the tunnel.

19. The service vehicle according to claim 17 wherein said tunnel has atleast a partially circular liner with a flat chord-like floor and saidlegs are laterally spaced apart to ride at the junction of the floor andthe tunnel liner.

20. The service vehicle according to claim 18 wherein said legs containmeans for slidably moving a platform along the tunnel liner and floor.

21. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said expander meansis hydraulically operated and said service vehicle includes hydraulicpower supply means mounted on said platform and coupled to said expandermeans.

22. The service vehicle according to claim 19 wherein the tunnelingshield and said expander means are hydraulically operable and saidservice vehicle includes hydraulic power supply means suspended fromsaid platform outside one of said legs coupled to said expander means.

23. The service vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said connectionmeans on said lower member is formed of a pair of brackets coupled tosaid lower members tunnel linerand embracing a bridge member towed bysaid tunnel

1. A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunnelingshield within a tunnel having segmented hoop-like ribs forming a portionof a liner, said vehicle comprising: a horizontal platform positionablewithin the tunnel, one end of said platform having means for pivotalsupportive connection to the rear end of said tunneling shield, theother end of said platform having means for supporting said platformfrom said tunnel, said platform having a pair of spaced slots lyingparallel to the bore to the tunnel; expander means movably mounted insaid slots, said means being extensible in a direction perpendicular tothe axis of the tunnel; and means connected between said expander meansnormal to the bore of the tunnel for receiving the ribs and forexpanding same against the interior surface of the tunnel.
 2. Theservice vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said expander means areextensible in either direction.
 3. The service vehicle according toclaim 2 wherein said expander means includes a pair of telescopingmembers mounted in each of said slots, said telescoping members havingextensible means coupling said members together and providing relativemovement between said members.
 4. The service vehicle according to claim3 wherein said extensible means comprises a hydraulic cylinder mountedwithin said telescoping members.
 5. The service vehicle according toclaim 3 wherein one of said telescoping members is rectangular and isdimensioned for sliding engagement with the sides of said slots.
 6. Theservice vehicle according to claim 3 wherein one of said telescopingmembers includes means for supporting said expander means from saidplatform.
 7. The service vehicle according to claim 6 suitable for usein a generally horizontal tunnel wherein said telescoping members arecomprised of upper, outer, and inner, lower vertically telescopingmembers and wherein said support means is mounted on said uppertelescoping members for suspending said expander means from saidplatform.
 8. The service vehicle according to claim 7 wherein saidupper, outer telescoping member is rectangular and is dimensioned forsliding engagement with the sides of said slots.
 9. The service vehicleaccording to claim 7 wherein said support means includes rollers. 10.The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said connection meansbetween said expander means is formed to receive the ribs.
 11. Theservice vehicle according to claim 1 including means for moving saidexpander means within said slots.
 12. The service vehicle according toclaim 11 wherein said moving means comprises a hydraulic cylindermounted between said platform and said expander means.
 13. The servicevehicle according to claim 1 further including side expander meansoperatively associated with said platform and extensible in a directiongenerally perpendicular to said slot mounted expander means forreceiving rib segments and for assisting in the expansion of sameagainst the interior surface of the tunnel.
 14. The service vehicleaccording to claim 13 wherein said side expander means is mounted onsaid slot mounted expander means.
 15. The service vehicle according toclaim 7 further including side expander means mounted on said uppertelescoping members and laterally extensible for receiving the ribs. 16.The service vehicle according to claim 13 wherein said side expandermeans includes a hydraulic cylinder having means for receiving saidribs.
 17. The service vehicle according to claim 16 including means foradjusting the position of said receiving means with respect to saidplatform.
 18. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein saidsupport means at the other end of said platform comprises a pair oflaterally spaced legs supportively coacting with the tunnel.
 19. Theservice vehicle according to claim 17 wherein said tunnel Has at least apartially circular liner with a flat chord-like floor and said legs arelaterally spaced apart to ride at the junction of the floor and thetunnel liner.
 20. The service vehicle according to claim 18 wherein saidlegs contain means for slidably moving a platform along the tunnel linerand floor.
 21. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein saidexpander means is hydraulically operated and said service vehicleincludes hydraulic power supply means mounted on said platform andcoupled to said expander means.
 22. The service vehicle according toclaim 19 wherein the tunneling shield and said expander means arehydraulically operable and said service vehicle includes hydraulic powersupply means suspended from said platform outside one of said legscoupled to said expander means.
 23. The service vehicle according toclaim 6 wherein said connection means on said lower member is formed ofa pair of brackets coupled to said lower members and embracing a bridgemember towed by said tunneling schield.
 24. The service vehicleaccording to claim 23 wherein said bridge means is shaped to mate withsaid tunnel liner.